How Old Do You Have to Be to Donate Eggs? Age Limits & Eligibility Explained
Egg donation is a powerful, life-changing decision and one of the most common questions we hear is: How old do you need to be to donate eggs?
At The World Egg and Sperm Bank (TWESB), we believe in making the donation process as transparent and empowering as possible. Whether you’re just starting your research or ready to apply, understanding the age requirements, and why they matter, is the first step in your journey.
Let’s break it down.
The Age Range to Donate Eggs
At The World Egg and Sperm Bank, egg donors must be between 18 and 31 years old. This range is based on clinical and scientific guidelines to ensure both egg quality and donor readiness:
Minimum age: 18
Because egg donation involves medical screenings and personal decision-making, donors need to be at least 18 years old to ensure they can give informed consent and fully understand the process.
Maximum age: 31
While many women remain fertile beyond this age, egg quality and quantity begin to decline in the early 30s. Setting this cutoff helps us offer recipients the highest chance of a healthy pregnancy.
This requirement aligns with recommendations from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), which emphasizes safety, ethical practice, and optimal outcomes.
Why Does Age Matter?
Egg quality, genetic integrity, and ovarian reserve naturally decrease as we age. Choosing donors in their late teens to early thirties ensures:
- A higher number of viable eggs retrieved
- A lower risk of chromosomal abnormalities
- Greater likelihood of a successful pregnancy for recipients
What are the Other Requirements to Become an Egg Donor?
Age is just one part of the equation. To protect your health and ensure the success of the donation, we have several additional requirements:
General Requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen, currently living in the U.S.
- Be a non-smoker, with no history of drug or alcohol abuse
- Have a healthy BMI (Calculate Body Mass Index Here)
- Hold at least a high school diploma or GED
- Have good knowledge of family medical and genetic history (up to biological grandparents)
- Be free from serious inheritable conditions
- Be willing to undergo medical and psychological screening
- Regular menstrual cycles when off birth control
- Be comfortable with self-administering hormone injections
egg donation office visit
What Is the Commitment Like?
First-time donors can expect the entire process to take 2-4 months*,* including:
- Application & prescreening: Includes medical and family history
- Medical & psychological evaluations: Genetic testing and a meeting with a counselor
- Ovarian monitoring: Ultrasounds and lab visits
- Hormone injections: Self-administered daily for about 2 weeks
- Egg retrieval: A minimally invasive procedure performed in our Scottsdale, AZ clinic (travel arranged and covered if needed)
The process is designed to be as seamless and supportive as possible for you, the donor. Further explore the steps to becoming an egg donor.
Does Donating Eggs Affect Your Fertility?
This is one of the biggest myths we love to bust.
No, donating eggs does not reduce your ability to have children in the future. Each month, your body naturally loses hundreds of eggs, but only one typically matures for ovulation. During the donation process, we retrieve eggs that your body would have otherwise discarded, without disrupting your long-term fertility.
Benefits of Becoming an Egg Donor
The Benefits of Saying Yes
While every donor’s motivation is personal, there are some powerful benefits that come with the decision to donate.
- Make a Life-Changing Impact
Your donation could help someone build a family who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance. It’s an act of generosity that ripples for generations.
- Learn More About Your Own Health
As part of the screening process, you’ll receive insight into your reproductive health, genetic profile, and family medical history, information many people never access until much later in life or pay thousands of dollars to access.
- Financial Compensation
Donors are fairly compensated for their time, commitment, and effort. While it shouldn’t be the only reason to donate, the compensation can support goals like school, travel, or savings.
- Be Part of a Supportive Community
At TWESB, you’re never just a number. From day one, you’ll be supported by a compassionate team that sees you, hears you, and walks alongside you every step of the way.
- Feel Empowered
Egg donation is a choice made on your terms. You’re in control, from your application to retrieval, and we’re here to make sure you feel informed and confident at every stage.
Ready to Learn More?
At TWESB, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Remembering we are dedicated to doing so with compassion, transparency, and expert care. If you’re between the ages of 18 and 31 and interested in becoming an egg donor, we encourage you to start your application.
Still have questions? Our team is just a call or email away. We’re happy to walk you through the process, requirements, and everything in between.
Email: info@twesb.com
Call: 1.877.331.2427
Follow us on our socials!
Learn more on our Instagram, Facebook, and **LinkedIn** pages!
Related Reads:
